Great words of advice. People really spend too much time and money on the simple things in life. We get caught up in TV ads and think “they” have a better solution. Good for you for addressing the basics.

This works only for the out side of your teeth but does not get into your teeth. This is where the discolor really is. Your teeth are like honey combs, Bleach gets into the holes of the teeth down to the pulp where the stains from over the years really are. Good idea but not as good as bleaching. This techniques is ok but watch the gum line. You can really do serious damage to the gumline from the abrasives in baking soda and the salt.

Rusty,
Bleach is such a harmful chemical you really shouldn’t be using it to clean anything let alone your teeth. To get into the tight corners, use hydrogen peroxide instead. It’s much safer and doesn’t taste as bad.

first of all, let me tell you I LOVE d.i.y. naturally!!! But this is my worry: I’ve heard that salt and baking soda can be damaging to the tooth enamel, and everyone always says to use these ingredients with care. But what does “care” mean? Don’t brush eagerly? Use it only once a day? Make a creamier mixture? And how do I keep it away from my gums? Gums and tongue need brushing, too! I really do hate using chemicals, but I’m also afraid of damaging my teeth with ingredients that are too abrasive. So far, I’ve been using Melaleuca products, but they sometimes use things that are not 100% good for you either. Please help! Thanks :o)

I am glad someone else is spreading the word. I had an aunt that did this routine and she had the whitest, nicest teeth of anyone I have ever seen–and they weren’t see-through like teeth that have been overly bleached!

i’ve heard about the various uses of baking soda but you have the most comprehensive articles i’ve found so far (: nice job.
i tried this recipe today. i must say my mouth was not happy about having baking soda and salt in it. it stung a little but i couldn’t really tell if it was due to the salt disinfecting the wounds in my gums. at the end of it however my gums kinda looked as if they had been bleached. is that why everyone says to keep the mixture away from the gums? what harm does it do? i guess i should really have read the comments first
i dont know if its psychological but my teeth actually seem cleaner

It’s true it works! I have been using these ingredients since my childhood, I’m now 43yrs.old. My parents hooked me up, it was their way in saving money on hygienic products for a household of 9 people (7kids).
Also true the gums become sensitive, due to the products abrasiveness, it becomes worse overtime ( gum’s skin area will wear away which contribute to the gums stinginess and soreness) to combat my experience taught me that it’s best to gargle w/saline solution (salt)/combo. By allowing the granules to dissolve in H2O it prevents the abrasive attack on your gums while still give u the clean and fresh smelling mouth u need.